Configurable wireless interface

ABSTRACT

A multistandard RF transceiver is disclosed that may optionally include selectable mixers; selectable amplifiers; a configurable analog filter; and a configurable analog to digital converter. The multistandard RF transceiver may also include a data interface for sending data to a host controller and a control interface for receiving configuration commands from the host controller. The configuration commands identify a wireless standard that is to be implemented by the RF receiver. An RF processor processes an RF signal wherein the processed RF signal is output to the host controller on the data interface.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120

The present application for patent is a continuation of patentapplication Ser. No. 11/352,438, entitled “CONFIGURABLE WIRELESSINTERFACE”, pending and filed Feb. 10, 2006, which is a continuation ofU.S. Pat. No. 7,035,595, entitled, “CONFIGURABLE WIRELESS INTERFACE”,issued Apr. 25, 2006, and assigned to the assignee hereof and expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication. Morespecifically, a configurable wireless interface is disclosed.

BACKGROUND

With the increasing popularity of portable computing devices andwireless connectivity, there has been a proliferation of wirelesscommunication standards and protocols. For example, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) may communicate with several other portable ornon-portable devices wirelessly and run wireless applications. Such aPDA may at different times (and in some cases, concurrently) implementWLAN, BLUETOOTH™ (a short-range wireless radio technology), GPS,Cellular, Cordless or other RF applications. Currently, each suchapplication requires its own software and hardware and as a result eachapplication that is enabled contributes individually to the cost of theportable device. In addition, each application is generally configuredin the device before the device is sold, or in some cases purchased as ahardware add on.

It would be very useful if a device could be developed that could beconfigured and reconfigured to implement different wireless applicationsand protocols as desired. Furthermore, if such a device could use commonhardware or reconfigurable software resources to implement differentprotocols or applications, then the cost of potentially including alarge selection of applications in a device could be reduced. What isneeded, therefore, is a configurable wireless interface that could beincluded in a device to allow that device to be configured to runmultiple wireless applications.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implementedin numerous ways, including as a process, an apparatus, a system, adevice, a method, or a computer readable medium such as a computerreadable storage medium or a computer network wherein programinstructions are sent over optical or electronic communication links.Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are describedbelow.

A configurable wireless interface is disclosed. In one embodiment, amultistandard RF receiver includes a plurality of selectable mixers; aplurality of selectable amplifiers; a configurable analog filter; and aconfigurable analog to digital converter.

In one embodiment, a multistandard RF transmitter includes a pluralityof selectable mixers; a plurality of selectable amplifiers; aconfigurable analog filter; and a configurable analog to digitalconverter.

In one embodiment, a multistandard RF receiver includes a data interfacefor sending data to a host controller and a control interface forreceiving configuration commands from the host controller. Theconfiguration commands identify a wireless standard that is to beimplemented by the RF receiver. An RF processor processes an RF signalwherein the processed RF signal is output to the host controller on thedata interface.

In one embodiment, a multistandard RF transmitter includes a datainterface for receiving data from a host controller and a controlinterface for receiving configuration commands from the host controller.The configuration commands identify a wireless standard that is to beimplemented by the RF transmitter. An RF processor processes an RFsignal. The processed RF signal is transmitted in accordance with thewireless standard.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bepresented in more detail in the following detailed description and theaccompanying figures which illustrate by way of example the principlesof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating how a modular RF interfaceinteracts with a host.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an architecture used in one embodimentof a modular wireless interface that includes an RF/IF system with botha transmitter and a receiver.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating in detail a configurable signal pathbetween the amplifiers, mixers, and digital filter shown in FIG. 2A onthe receive side.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating in detail a configurable signal pathbetween the amplifiers, mixers, and digital filter shown in FIG. 2A onthe transmit side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a feature register included in themodular RF interface.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an application table for the transmitside included in a control database as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an application table for the transmitside included in a control database as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for programming themodular RF interface to include a new application by adding a newapplication table.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for configuring themodular RF interface to implement a selected application.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the modular RFinterface reporting to a host the features that are available.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the programming of thecontrol interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention isprovided below. While the invention is described in conjunction withthat preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited to any one embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of theinvention is limited only by the appended claims and the inventionencompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Forthe purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in thefollowing description in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. The present invention may be practiced accordingto the claims without some or all of these specific details. For thepurpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technicalfields related to the invention has not been described in detail so thatthe present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating how a modular RF interface 100interacts with a host 102. Host 102 includes a data interface 104 and acontrol interface 106. Host processor 108 uses control interface 106 tofirst determine the features that are enabled for modular RF interface100 and then to select a feature. Host processor 108 then uses datainterface 104 to send data to the modular RF interface for transmissionand to receive data from the modular RF interface.

Modular RF interface 100 likewise includes a data interface 114 and acontrol interface 116. Modular RF interface 100 also includes a featureregister 118 that communicates with control interface 116 and isdescribed further in FIG. 3. Feature register 118 stores a code thatindicates features that have been programmed into the modular RFinterface. Control interface 116 also communicates with control database120 to select a feature when a feature selection is made by the hostprocessor. Control database 120 includes a table for each applicationthat may be selected that includes various parameters used to programthe modular RF interface to support the selected application.

In some embodiments, programming interface 122 is provided to write newapplication tables to control database 120 or to edit existingapplication tables. By loading new parameters for an application, themodular RF interface can be configured to support a new application oran updated existing application without a hardware change. The RFinterface is engineered or re-engineered by software input to theprogramming interface. This flexible design allows new applications tobe installed in the modular RF interface and made available to the hostby simply downloading the required parameters.

It should be noted that programming interface 122 may logically and/orphysically be a separate interface as shown in FIG. 1 or mayalternatively be implemented as part of control interface 116. A specialcode or sequence may be used to indicate a programming mode where thecontrol database is being updated instead of an operating mode where anapplication table is being selected to obtain parameters for loadinginto the modular RF interface. It should also be noted that in someembodiments, the control database is not programmable and is containedin ROM that is configured before the chip is sold and is not writeable.However, the ability to program new applications and modify oldapplications on the modular RF interface and therefore potentially addnew functionality to the modular RF interface and the host is animportant feature in many embodiments.

When an application table is selected, the data from the table is usedto configure various devices included in RF processor 124. RF processor124, once configured, receives data from the host via data interface 114for transmission and/or receives a signal from an antenna for processingand returns the processed signal to the host. Data interface 114 may beany suitable interface capable of exchanging data between the host andthe modular RF interface. In one embodiment, data interface 114 is aserial interface. In embodiments that plug the modular RF interface intoa legacy application, data interface 114 may include a remodulator thatrecreates a signal that is processed by a conventional basebandprocessor on the host.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an architecture used in one embodimentof a modular wireless interface that includes an RF/IF system with botha transmitter and a receiver. Preferably, this system is contained on asingle chip 200. In one embodiment, the system is implemented onseparate chips with a high speed interface provided between the chips.It should be noted that in some embodiments, a transmitter only or areceiver only may be implemented.

On the transmit side, in the embodiment shown, three possible antennainputs 202 are shown. The signal paths from each of the antennas areshown separately through amplifiers 204 which are preferably low noiseamplifiers and mixers 206 which are driven by local oscillator 205controlled by a digital synthesizer 207. In some embodiments, a commonamplifier may be used by the different antennas by implementing a seriesof switches to select the desired antenna. Likewise, in someembodiments, a common antenna may be shared by different amplifiers byimplementing a series of switches or other appropriate arrangement.

It should be noted that in other embodiments, different numbers ofsignal paths may be included. Also, in some embodiments, a signal pathmay be used for more than one application. For example, one signal pathmay be used for GSM, GPRS, and EDGE. In general, the low noise amplifierand the mixer are determined by the frequency band of the application orwireless protocol that is being implemented. Applications that may beimplemented in a signal path include WCDMA, or GSM, GPRS, and EDGE orTDMA, CDMA and CDMA 2000-xx or wireless LANs, BLUETOOTH™ (a short-rangewireless radio technology), cordless phones and GPS or DCS 1800 and PCSor PCS 1900. Other applications may be included as well.

Filter 208 receives a signal from the selected signal path that includesa selected amplifier and mixer. Filter 208 is programmed according to aselected application to appropriately provide anti aliasing and/or imagerejection. In one embodiment, filter 208 is a low pass filter and thefrequency cutoff is programmed according to the selected application.Filter 208 may also be a bandpass filter. In one embodiment, filter 208is an active or passive RC filter and a switchable array of capacitorsor resistors or both is programmed to select the required components fora given response. The output of filter 208 is input to an analog todigital converter (ADC) 210. The digital output of ADC 210 is processedby a digital signal processor (DSP) 212. DSP 212 is reconfigurable andis programmed to process the signal in a manner that varies with theselected application. In general, DSP 212 processes both I and Q channelsignals received from ADC 210. DSP 212 may also be configured to processa signal that is being transmitted.

In some embodiments, the signal is not converted all the way down tobaseband in the analog domain and DSP 212 includes a numericaloscillator that down converts the signal in the digital domain theremainder of the way to baseband from the intermediate frequencyachieved by the selected mixer and digitally controlled localoscillator.

In one embodiment, DSP 212 is configured to perform all basebandprocessing of the signal. However, in different embodiments, varioussignal processing functions may be performed off chip by a hostprocessor. For example, voice processing, coding/decoding, and errorcorrection may be performed on the host processor while modulation anddemodulation, equalization and filtering are performed by the on chiptransceiver using DSP 212. A host controller function may be implementedpartly on chip and partly on the host. In certain embodiments, for thepurpose of communicating with a legacy system that includes a basebandprocessor configured to receive an analog IF signal input, DAC 214 isprovided to remodulate the signal to communicate with baseband processor216. The baseband processor preferably is implemented on the host. Insome embodiments, a dedicated baseband processor chip may be used.

In a similar manner, the transmit side includes programmable componentsthat are configured to work with different applications such as the oneslisted above as well as separate components included in alternativesignal paths. An analog signal may be received from baseband processor216 if a legacy device is being used. ADC 234 converts an analog inputto a digital signal to be processed by DSP 212. Alternatively, a digitalsignal may be input to the chip using a suitable digital interface. DSP212 encodes and/or modulates the signal according to the selectedapplication and provides an output to DAC 230. The output of DAC 230 isfiltered by a programmable analog filter 228. The output of filter 228is selectably routed to a signal path that includes a mixer 226 and anamplifier 224. The output of amplifier 224 is sent to a transmit antennaor transmitting system. In some embodiments, the separate signal pathsmay be combined.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may additionally be reconfigured toinclude digital up conversion. Also, the transmitter mode may beswitched to a translational loop architecture for constant envelopemodulation schemes such as GSM.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating in detail a configurable signal pathbetween the amplifiers, mixers, and digital filter shown in FIG. 2A onthe receive side. Switch 250 selects an amplifier and switches 252 and254 select a mixer. Other signal paths are used in other embodiments.For example, the mixer and amplifier may be selected as a pair.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating in detail a configurable signal pathbetween the amplifiers, mixers, and digital filter shown in FIG. 2A onthe transmit side. Switch 260 selects an amplifier and switches 262 and264 select a mixer. Other signal paths are used in other embodiments.For example, the mixer and amplifier may be selected as a pair.

The transceiver architecture shown shows a configurable signal pathusing switches as well as individually configurable components that arereprogrammed and reused in different modes. In other embodiments, thesignal path is configured in other manners and different configurablecomponents may be selected. However, the benefit of reusing certaincomponents is still enjoyed. In particular, the common DSP greatlyreduces the amount of area required to implement the differentprotocols.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a feature register included in themodular RF interface. For the purpose of illustration, a 16 bit registeris shown wherein each bit corresponds to an application that may beimplemented by the modular RF interface. In other embodiments,applications may be represented by more complex codes for the purpose ofsecurity. In the example shown, bits are labeled that correspond to aGPS, a wireless LAN, and a CDMA feature.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an application table for the transmitside included in control database 120 as shown in FIG. 1. Theapplication table includes various parameters that are used to eitherselect a signal path by switching between amplifiers and mixers or toconfigure components such as a filter, an ADC or a DAC. Applicationtable 400 includes an application ID 402 that is used to match anapplication ID specified by the host for the purpose of selecting theapplication table. A low noise amplifier identifier 404 selects a lownoise amplifier and a mixer identifier 406 selects a mixer. A localoscillator/IF identifier specifies an IF and selects or programs a localoscillator. Identifiers 402, 404, and 406 select or configure the signalpath that leads to the programmable analog filter as shown in FIG. 4A.

The programmable analog filter is programmed according to filterparameters 410 which define the analog filter response. It should benoted that each of the parameters shown may be an array of parameters ora pointer to a data structure that contains the parameter or set ofparameters.

The ADC is configured according to the ADC parameters 416 and 418.Parameter 416 specifies the ADC sample rate and Parameter 418 specifiesthe ADC precision. Other ADC parameters are specified in otherembodiments. By specifying the filter parameters and the ADC parameters,the filter and ADC are configured to operate for different applications.The reuse of the ADC and filter components for different applicationsgreatly reduces the cost of the modular RF interface.

If a digital down conversion is performed, then parameter 420 may beused to specify a numerical oscillator or digital IF. Digital filterparameters may also be specified. For example, parameter 422 specifiesdigital filter coefficients; and parameter 424 specifies digital filtertaps.

If a DAC is used after the DSP to generate an analog signal for a legacyinterface to communicate with the baseband processor, then analoginterface identifier 426 may be included to indicate the type of analogwaveform that is to be generated. In general, different analog waveformsmay be generated for different types of baseband processors. In oneembodiment, either a digital or an analog PLL is used to generate atiming signal for the legacy or digital interface. A digital or analogPLL may be used with the DAC or digital interface for the baseband orhost processor and support various types of timing and data formatting.The PLL can generate different phase or frequency through programming.Parameter 428 is used to program various kinds of timing and dataformatting.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an application table for the transmitside included in control database 120 as shown in FIG. 1. Theapplication table includes various parameters that are used to eitherselect a signal path by switching between amplifiers and mixers or toconfigure components such as a filter, an ADC or a DAC. Applicationtable 450 includes an application ID 452 that is used to match anapplication ID specified by the host for the purpose of selecting theapplication table. A power amplifier driver identifier 454 selects a lownoise amplifier and a mixer identifier 456 selects a mixer. A localoscillator/IF identifier specifies an IF and selects or programs a localoscillator. Identifiers 452, 454, and 456 select or configure the signalpath that leads to the programmable analog filter as shown in FIG. 4A.

The programmable analog filter is programmed according to filterparameters 460 which define the analog filter response. It should benoted that each of the parameters shown may be an array of parameters ora pointer to a data structure that contains the parameter or set ofparameters.

The DAC is configured according to the DAC parameters 416 and 418.Parameter 416 specifies the DAC sample rate and Parameter 418 specifiesthe DAC precision. Other DAC parameters are specified in otherembodiments. By specifying the filter parameters and the DAC parameters,the filter and DAC are configured to operate for different applications.The reuse of the DAC and filter components for different applicationsgreatly reduces the cost of the modular RF interface.

If a digital up conversion to a digital IF is performed, then parameter420 may be used to specify a numerical oscillator or digital IF. Digitalfilter parameters may also be specified. For example, parameter 422specifies digital filter coefficients; and parameter 424 specifiesdigital filter taps. If an ADC is used before the DSP in the transmitpath to receive an analog signal from the baseband processor, thenanalog interface identifier 476 may be included to indicate the type ofanalog waveform is to be received. In general, different analogwaveforms may be generated by different types of baseband processors. Inone embodiment, either a digital or an analog PLL is used to generate atiming signal for the legacy or digital interface. A digital or analogPLL may be used with the ADC or digital interface to receive the datafrom the baseband or host processor and provide various type of timingand identify the data formatting. The PLL can generate different phaseor frequency through programming. Parameter 4478 is used to programvarious kind of timing and data formatting.

It should be noted that in other embodiments, different data structuresare used to configure or select components for the modular RF interface.The disclosed table format is one of many structures that may be used asis deemed appropriate for a specific system.

In a similar manner, identifiers and parameters are also specified onthe transmit side so that the transmit signal path is selected and thetransmit DAC and analog filter are configured.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for programming themodular RF interface to include a new application by adding a newapplication table. The process starts at 500. In step 502, the newapplication table is received. Next, in step 504, the application tableis confirmed or checked for errors. Any standard technique for doingthis may be implemented including hashing the table and checking thehash value. In step 506, the application register (as shown in FIG. 3)is updated to indicate that the new application is available on themodular RF interface.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for configuring themodular RF interface to implement a selected application. The processstarts at 600. In step 602, an application identifier is received. Instep 604, application parameters are retrieved from the applicationtable that corresponds to the application identifier. In step 606, theapplication parameters are loaded to configure devices. Finally, in step608, devices are selected according to the application parameters. Theprocess ends at 610.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the modular RFinterface reporting to a host the features that are available. Theprocess starts at 700. In step 702, an inquiry for the feature registryis received. In step 704, the feature registry is retrieved. In step706, the feature registry is transmitted. The process ends at 708. Itshould be noted that in some embodiments, the feature registry may bedirectly accessed by the host.

In some embodiments, depending on the host or baseband processor, it maybe desirable to program the control/data interface, protocol orsignaling. The programming interface supports this programming.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the programming of thecontrol interface. The process starts at 800. In a step 802, acontrol/data path format table is received. In step 804, the table ischecked for errors. If errors are found, then the system waits until acorrect format table is received. In some embodiments, the systemrequests that the format table be resent. The system also may fail toacknowledge the table and then wait for the format table to be resent.Once the table is confirmed, the control/data path registers are updatedin step 806. The process ends at 808.

A modular RF interface has been described. The modular RF interface isconfigurable to support different applications by selecting a set ofstored parameters that select a signal path and configure components.The modular RF interface may be programmed to support additionalapplications by loading in configuration data for such applications.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. It should be noted that there are many alternative waysof implementing both the process and apparatus of the present invention.Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope andequivalents of the appended claims.

1. In a wireless device having configurable components for operating aplurality of wireless applications in accordance with a correspondingset of configuration parameters, a method comprising: retrieving a setof configuration parameters associated with a wireless application; andconfiguring the configurable components using the retrieved set toenable operation of the wireless application.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of wireless applications are wireless standards,and the retrieved set of configuration parameters are instructions forat least one of setting switches and programmably configuring theconfigurable components to enable operation of the currently desiredwireless standard.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wirelessstandards for which operation is enabled includes a combination ofstandards from a list comprised of WCDMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, TDMA, CDMA,CDMA 2000-xx, wireless LANs, short range radio, cordless phone and/orGPS wireless DCS 1800, PCS and PCS 1900 standards.
 4. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the configuration parameters are stored in anapplication table.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising updatingthe application table to support new wireless standards.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising updating the application table to supportnew wireless applications.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theconfiguration parameters are stored in an application table.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is a modular radiofrequency (RF) interface, and the configurable components include atleast one of receive and transmit components arranged so as to beprogrammably configurable to operate in the plurality of wirelessapplications without a hardware change.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the wireless device is a modular RF interface, and theconfigurable components are programmably configurable to support newwireless applications.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelessdevice is a modular RF interface and includes a data interface and acontrol interface for communicating with an external host.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the communicating includes receivingconfiguration commands identifying the currently enabled wirelessapplication.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless deviceincludes a feature register for storing codes indicating features thathave been programmed in the wireless device.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein the configuring includes using digital-to-analog converter andfilter components in a new configuration.
 14. The method of claim 1,further comprising generating a timing signal for a legacy or digitalinterface.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the timing signal for alegacy or digital interface is generated using a phased lock loop.
 16. Adevice having configurable components for operating a plurality ofwireless applications in accordance with a corresponding set ofconfiguration parameters, comprising: means for retrieving a set ofconfiguration parameters associated with a wireless application; andmeans for configuring the configurable components using the retrievedset to enable operation of the wireless application.
 17. The device ofclaim 16, wherein the plurality of wireless applications are wirelessstandards, and the means for retrieving the set of configurationparameters includes means for receiving instructions for at least one of(i) setting switches and (ii) programmably configuring the configurablecomponents to enable operation of the currently desired wirelessstandard.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the wireless standards forwhich operation is enabled includes a combination of standards from alist comprised of WCDMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, TDMA, CDMA, CDMA 2000-xx,wireless LANs, short range radio, cordless phone and/or GPS wireless DCS1800, PCS and PCS 1900 standards.
 19. The device of claim 18, whereinthe configuration parameters are stored in an application table.
 20. Thedevice of claim 19, further comprising means for updating theapplication table to support new wireless standards.
 21. The device ofclaim 16, further comprising means for updating the application table tosupport new wireless applications.
 22. The device of claim 21, whereinthe configuration parameters are stored in an application table.
 23. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein the wireless device is a modular radiofrequency (RF) interface, and the configurable components include atleast one of receive and transmit components arranged so as to beprogrammably configurable to operate in the plurality of wirelessapplications without changes to the hardware.
 24. The device of claim16, wherein the wireless device is a modular RF interface, and theconfigurable components are programmably configurable to support newwireless applications.
 25. The device of claim 16, wherein the wirelessdevice is a modular RF interface and includes a data interface and acontrol interface for communicating with an external host.
 26. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the communicating includes receivingconfiguration commands identifying a currently enabled wirelessapplication.
 27. The device of claim 16, wherein the wireless deviceincludes a feature register for storing codes indicating features thathave been programmed in the wireless device.
 28. The device of claim 16,wherein the means for configuring includes means for usingdigital-to-analog converter and filter components in a newconfiguration.
 29. The device of claim 16, further comprising generatinga timing signal for a legacy or digital interface.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the timing signal for a legacy or digital interface isgenerated using a phased lock loop.
 31. A host device configured for usewith a wireless device having configurable components for operating aplurality of wireless applications in accordance with a correspondingset of configuration parameters, comprising: means for identifying a setof configuration parameters associated with a wireless application; andmeans for transmitting, to the wireless device, the set of configurationparameters for the wireless device to configure the configurablecomponents to enable operation of the wireless application.
 32. The hostdevice of claim 31, wherein the wireless applications are wirelessstandards, the means for identifying involving identifying thecorresponding set of configuration parameters for at least one of WCDMA,GSM, GPRS, EDGE, TDMA, CDMA, CDMA 2000-xx, wireless LANs, short rangeradio, cordless phone and/or GPS wireless DCS 1800, PCS and PCS 1900standards.
 33. The host device of claim 31, wherein the device is amodular RF interface, and the configurable components are programmablyconfigurable to support new wireless applications.
 34. The host deviceof claim 31, wherein the device is a modular RF interface and includes adata interface and a control interface for communicating with anexternal host.
 35. The host device of claim 31, further comprising meansfor receiving a timing signal for a legacy or digital interface.
 36. Anon-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computerexecutable instructions for causing a wireless device havingconfigurable components for operating a plurality of wireless standardsin accordance with a corresponding set of configuration parameters, to:retrieve a set of configuration parameters associated with a wirelessstandard; and configure the configurable components using the retrievedset to enable operation of the wireless standard.